--- Vladimir Nesov <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
> On Jan 23, 2008 11:55 PM, Matt Mahoney <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
> >
> > This is another example of starting with the false assumption that
> > consciousness (or qualia) exists, and then deriving bizarre theories to
> > explain it, like Penrose's quantum gravity. A better explanation would be
> > that evolution selects for animals whose behavior is consistent with the
> > belief in qualia.
> >
>
> Matt,
>
> I agree that qualia or consciousness don't have magical properties are
> some believe, but they do exist, by definition. Consciousness is that
> thing that feels like it. Another question is what it actually is
> ('normal self-reflexive brain activity?'), and if it's even an
> interesting question.
>
> Where did you see a cow that believes in qualia? Only some philosophers do.
>
> What kind of octopus behavior is considered consistent with octopus's
> belief in qualia?
Just about all humans claim to have an awareness of sensations, thoughts, and
feelings, and control over decisions they make, what we commonly call
"consciousness". A P-zombie would make such claims too (because by definition
a P-zombie is indistinguishable from human), so belief in consciousness is not
the same as consciousness. It is easy to test for this belief in humans.
Just ask them.
Awareness requires episodic memory. If you do not remember an event, then you
were not aware of it. If you are not aware of an event, then you will not
remember it. In this sense, we could demonstrate awareness in animals by
testing for episodic memory in a way that doesn't rely on language.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Episodic_memory#Episodic_memory_in_animals
The other aspect of consciousness is control, or free will. Humans have the
sense that they make free choices. Even when humans make decisions randomly
or deterministically, they will make up reasons for making the choice they
did. Again, there are clever ways to demonstrate that animals rationalize
random choices without resorting to language.
http://www.world-science.net/othernews/071106_rationalize.htm
-- Matt Mahoney, [EMAIL PROTECTED]
-----
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